All Hell Breaks Loose

Chapter 58: I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

Eric did feel a bit of a relief from pulling down the beard to reveal to Sookie who he really was and the fact that he was at the carnival. The damn beard was irritating and actually caused him to be a bit itchy.

"Eric," Sookie breathed.

"Yes," Eric said before he brought his finger up to his lips. "Shhh."

"Oh of course," Sookie said before she looked up at the mistletoe above her.

Eric took the hint and leaned over and kissed her. He did not close his eyes and took in the warmth of Sookie's beautiful brown eyes before she closed them. He held on firmly to her, not wanting to part for anything.

"Ahem," an annoyed voice said behind them and Eric turned around to see a young human couple. The girl had her arms folded and was glaring daggers at them while her boyfriend just shrugged.

"Sorry," Eric said as he stepped away from Sookie. He turned to Alcide. "Sorry if I'm ruining your date."

"You don't have to be," Alcide said with a knowing smile on his face. "We are just here as friends."

"I can't believe you are here," Sookie said after she had stepped out from under the arch and the annoyed girl had taken her place. "Are you not afraid the Authority will find you?"

"They won't recognize me," Eric said as he patted the padding that was sewn into the shirt he wore that gave him the appearance of a large belly full of jelly as the poem went.

"You do have a point," Alcide said. "I didn't recognize you. Where did you come up with this kind of idea?"

"Ismene," Eric explained. "She insisted I come and suggested I dress like Santa. Valentino and Hailey helped make the costume."

"Are they here?" Sookie asked.

"Of course. Ismene herself is the narrator for the play and some of the others are performing in it."

"What about Bill?" Sookie asked and Eric was surprised he did not tense up when she inquired about him. "Is he also here?"

"Is he also Santa?" Alcide added. "Or is he dressed like an elf, or a reindeer?"

"He's still at the mansion," Eric told her. "He did not feel like coming. He was afraid he might get in the way and he wanted to keep Pam company."

"Really?" Sookie asked. "Pam wants Bill as company?"

"Why didn't she come?" Alcide asked.

"She never was into carnivals. The Underworld movies are on tonight. She has a huge crush on Kate Beckinsale, and if she found out that I told you she will kill me."

"Secret is safe with us," Alcide said.

"Do you think we should head back to the stage?" Sookie asked as she glanced at her watch.

"We should," Eric told her and held out his hand to her and smiled when she took it.

There was a good crowd that had gathered back at the stage and the cameras were about to turn on to record.

"ABC is making live broadcasts," Eric explained. "They are capturing the various carnivals and will be airing the play live."

At exactly nine Ismene had walked out on the stage with a small microphone taped to her costume of a white gown. Her dark hair was piled up on her head and she smiled at the crowd.

"Good evening and welcome the to the winter visit," Ismene said. "A long, long time ago, my village would celebrate this time of year as when many of the gods and goddesses would go to the underworld to visit Persephone. For those who do not know she was the daughter of the Earth goddess Demeter. One day Hades fell in love with Persephone and took her to his kingdom below the surface. Demeter pleaded with Zeus for the return of her daughter and Zeus agreed as long as Persephone did not eat anything. Hermes snatched up and brought her back to Demeter, but Persephone had eaten six seeds of the pomegranate fruit and she had to spend six months with her husband in the underworld and while she is gone, Demeter grieves her and because she grieves the plants turn brown and die and wont turn green until Persephone's return."

Anya stepped onto the stage dressed in a light green gown and wore a crown of laurel leaves. "It has been near three months since my daughter has been taken." She collapsed on her knees. "The others shall visit her for me. I cannot go, for if I see her then I know I shall break the compromise and steal her back to the surface." She made a sweeping motions across her eyes. "Oh land I am sorry I know you cannot grow when I'm this sad, but I must grieve. For my daughter is not with me." She collapsed and wept and the spotlight went from her to where Valentino and Hailey stood.

"Dear wife it is that time," Valentino said. He was dressed in dark armor, had a black crown and cloak. "The others will be here with gifts for you."

"I wish my mother could be here," Hailey said. She was dressed in a blue gown and cloak and had a smaller black crown with fake jewels on her head. "She would understand."

"Your mother has a large heart and it is filled with love for you," Valentino said. "The others are here with their gifts."

The rest of the play consisted of several actors and actresses in the roles of the Greek deities who would walk on stage, say several lines and place the prop that represented a gift down in front of Hailey. Dionysus brought wine, Artemis brought a boar that she had hunted, Apollo sang for her and played music on his lyre, Hephaestus brought her a hair comb he had made, Poseidon brought a colorful shell, Aphrodite danced for her Athena brought her a dress that she had woven and Hermes gave her a calliope he had made. The only ones who did not attend where Zeus and Hera who were too busy to attend.

Eric clapped along with the crowd when the play had ended and leaned down to kiss Sookie.

"That was nice," Alcide said while he finished his clap. "Some of the lines were a little corny, but it was still nice."

"It is," Eric agreed. "Did you like it, Sookie?"

"I enjoyed it," Sookie said.

"What would you like to do now?" Alcide asked her.

"I'd love to go up in the Ferris wheel," Sookie said. "Eric will you join us?"

"I have Santa duty," Eric said. "I would love to join you but this disguise comes with a small price."

"I understand." She embraced him. "I'm just glad you could be here."

"I'm thankful for what little time we have." He leaned down and kissed her lips again. "Now run along and have fun before some of the officials might think about forcing you to dress as Mrs. Claus."

"That wouldn't be too bad," Sookie said. "I'll try not to have too much fun without you."

"Enjoy the rest of your night," Eric said. He wanted to kiss her again, but if he did then he would not be able to leave. He walked away and headed for his throne station that was near the swings and the stand selling something called deep fried fruit cakes.

As soon as he had arrived the Santa that was on the throne stood up and thanked him for the break.

"They know one of us isn't the real one," Eric commented.

"Most of them know that none of us are," the other Santa said. "They believe the real one is at the North Pole, getting ready for his big ride."

"That does make sense," Eric said as he sat down. He let out a loud boisterous laugh that would be fitting for the real Santa.

Sookie had always loved riding on the Ferris Wheel. She enjoyed slowly rising up to Heaven, feeling the cool breeze as it teased her hair and the warm sun on her skin. She enjoyed looking at the world below her and being able to see everything. She knew of the romantic aspect of the ride but that never appealed to her. It was being up high that she had enjoyed.

"Janice hated it when I rocked the seat," Alcide said.

"You love rocking it?" Sookie asked.

"I just liked annoying my sister," Alcide said.

"I guess brothers are the same no matter what."

"Pretty much."

She leaned back as the wheel went around a few cycles and she watched as the people grew smaller as she and Alcide neared the top and then grow larger as they came back down after about the tenth time around it slowed down to let the people out.

"Want to try a different game?" Alcide asked as soon as they left the wheel.

"Sure," Sookie said and zeroed in on the ring toss game. "I'll try to win you something."

"You don't have to do that," Alcide said.

"Let me try." She handed her fox over to him and ran up to the booth. "How much?"

"Three rings for five dollars," the barker said.

Sookie gave him the money and accepted the rings. They were designed to look like wreaths. She tossed the first one and it missed.

"You still got two more," The barker said.

Sookie tossed her second ring and it landed on the candy cane like peg. She threw it again and it landed on the same peg.

"Good shot," the barker said. He pointed to various framed pictures of mythical beasts. "You can have one of these."

"Which one do you like?" Sookie asked.

"You don't have to," Alcide told her.

"We are here as friends," Sookie reminded him. "You won something for me."

"If you insist," Alcide said and studied the pictures. "I like the one of the black griffin that's flying at you."

"Good choice," the barker said and handed the picture over to Sookie.

"Thank you," Sookie said before she handed it to Alcide and then took her fox back. "Want to go on the swing ride?"

"Of course."

They headed of to the direction of the swings. Sookie thought about checking out some of the information booths after and then riding the gravitron and after that they would look for Jason and the others. Sookie hoped she would see Eric one last time before they returned home.

As they were about to get in line for the swings someone rushed passed them and nearly collided with Sookie.

Abort the mission. The boss wants us to get rid of all the explosives.